Costa Rica Eco Adventure

Each day of this travel experience brings you up close to the lush rainforests and exotic wildlife of beautiful, tranquil Costa Rica. Explore popular Tortuguero National Park and the peaceful Monteverde Cloud Forest.

Sightseeing Highlights

Tortuguero National Park: Spend two days in one of Costa Rica's most popular eco-tourism destinations.
Sarapiqui: Explore this beautiful valley surrounded by rainforest.
Arenal: See the active Arenal Volcano. Visit Tabacon Hot Springs for a relaxing bath.
Monteverde Cloud Forest: Enjoy two days in this spectacular area. Take a guided walk with a park naturalist, and explore SkyWalk, a chain of suspension bridges high above the Cloud Forest.

First Class Travel Highlights

Round-trip transfers between the airport and hotel, including porterage at the airport.
Accommodations in hotels listed in twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower.
Services of an English-speaking Tour Director throughout; local host on beach extension.
Sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary including admission charges, where applicable.
Boat transfer to Tortuguero.
Hotel taxes, service charges and porterage.
Portfolio of travel documents.

Dining Highlights

17 included meals in total (see day by day itinerary)
7 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
5 dinners
Breakfast daily on beach extension
Farewell Dinner in Monteverde

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Arrive San Jose
Daytime flight to San Jose. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to begin exploring on your own. Your Tour Director will be on hand to answer any questions.Hotel: Doubletree Cariari

Day 2 - San Jose – Tortuguero National Park (2 nights)
This morning head east through mountains and rainforests, toward the Caribbean Sea. Your boat is waiting to start your expedition along the river to Tortuguero National Park. (Breafkfast / Lunch / Dinner) Hotel: Pachira Lodge (2 nights) NOTE: You will need to carry a small overnight bag (max. 25 lbs) to the Park. Your main luggage will be transferred to Sarapiqui.

Day 3 - Tortuguero National Park
Today, explore this beautiful Park from the water on a boat cruise through the small canals. Watch for sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, monkeys, toucans, egrets and hundreds of species of colorful birds. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Day 4 - Tortuguero – Sarapiqui
Head out via waterways and land to tiny Sarapiqui. This beautiful community is situated in a valley and surrounded by rainforests. The area is relatively unknown, and home to some of Costa Rica's most diverse and dense vegetation and wildlife. Your afternoon is at leisure with plenty of time to explore the surrounding environs. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Hotel: Sueno Azul, La Quinta Sarapiqui or Centro Neotropico SarapiquiS Ecolodge

Day 5 - Sarapiqui – Arenal
This morning, the Alma Ata Archaeological Park reveals the country’s pre-Columbian heritage. After your visit here, head to Arenal. Thrill to spectacular views of one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Arenal has emitted regular eruptions of ash and rocks since 1968. It is truly an awesome sight to behold. Relax in the thermal mineral pools, waterfalls and hot springs of varying temperatures at Tabacon Hot Springs. Tonight, watch the mini-eruptions of Arenal while leisurely dining at the Hot Springs. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Hotel: Arenal Paraiso Resort and Spa

Day 6 - Arenal – Monteverde Cloud Forest (2 nights)
Take your last photos of Arenal this morning, as you head out toward Monteverde Cloud Forest. Upon arrival in this peaceful region, the balance of your day is at leisure to relax or begin exploring on your own. Your mountain lodge overlooks much of the Cloud Forest and the setting is spectacular. (Breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: El Establo Mountain Hotel

Day 7 - Monteverde Cloud Forest
Take a guided walk with a park naturalist through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve this morning. Hundreds of species of animals, birds, insects and plants make their homes here. Watch for quetzals, hummingbirds, monkeys and more, and enjoy the unique flora of the forest. Also included at your leisure is the SkyWalk, a chain of six suspension bridges above the Cloud Forest. The forest canopy is home to many unique flora and fauna species, which you would not see from ground level. Definitely a memorable experience! Enjoy a Farewell Dinner in a local Italian restaurant (Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Day 8 - Monteverde – Depart
Transfer to the Liberia Airport for your onward flight. (Breakfast)Please do not schedule homebound flights before 1:30pm.

Excursions - Iguaçu Falls

Iguaçu Falls

The Rio Iguaçu arises in the coastal mountains of Paraná and Santa Catarina and snakes west for 370 miles (600km) before it widens majestically and sweeps around a magnificent jungle stage, plunging and crashing in tiered falls at the border with Argentina and Paraguay. The Foz do Iguaçu (Iguaçu Falls) are over two miles (3km) wide and 262ft (80m) high and their beauty is unsurpassed. Their name, fittingly, comes from the Guarani Indian word meaning 'great waters'. The deep flowing waters of the river tumble down 275 falls (almost twice the height of Niagara Falls) the most famous of which is Devils Throat on the Argentinian border, dropping 230ft (70m). As well as taking in the stunning views, visitors can enjoy kayaking and other watersports in the river. The best time of year to visit is August to November, when there is least risk of floodwaters hindering the approach to the catwalks. The falls are surrounded by the Iguaçu National Park, a huge sub-tropical rainforest covering 135,000 acres that is home to thousands of different species of flora and birds including parrots and hummingbirds.
Transport: The easiest way to get to the falls is by air from Rio. Alternatively you can take a bus via Curitiba

Transport in Rio

Although a large and sprawling city, the neighbourhoods most frequented by visitors are easy to get around in. The public transport system is cheap and efficient, and most places can be reached by metro or bus. By far the quickest and easiest way to get around is by the efficient metro, but there are limits to its coverage of the city with only two lines. The most inexpensive form of transport are the local buses, which travel all over the city as fast as the traffic will allow, although they are often badly driven, crowded and the scene of much petty theft, especially during rush hours when the crowded conditions are ideal for pickpockets. Special care should be taken on buses known to be used by tourists, such as those to the Sugar Loaf. Public transport stops between 11pm and midnight, with some buses operating 24 hours, but it is safer to hire a taxi late at night. Taxis are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Radio cabs can be ordered and are said to be safer and more reliable, usually with air-conditioning, but they are 30 percent more than regular taxis. Driving in Rio is not recommended and hiring a car is expensive.

attractions in RIO

Corcovado
The distinctive statue of Christ the Redeemer, arms spread to welcome the world, is the symbol of Rio de Janeiro and one of the seven New Wonders of the Modern World. It rests on top of Rio de Janeiro's Corcovado Mountain, 2,330ft (710m)... see full details

Sugar Loaf
The summit of Rio's unique 1,299ft high (396m) belvedere, named Sugar Loaf because of its resemblance to the loaves of sugar used by the Portuguese colonists, can be reached by a two-stage cable car ride. The first stage takes visitors up 722ft (220m)... see full details

Botanical Gardens
Rio's Botanical Gardens were created in 1808 by the Prince Regent of Portugal as a temporary site for acclimatising imported plants. Today it is home to some 2,600 species of plant life, particularly bromeliads and orchids. Colour is added to the botanical treasures by... see full details

Ipanema
Immortalised in a popular song, 'The girl from Ipanema', this part of Rio offers not only its legendary beach, but numerous excellent hotels, bustling nightlife, sophisticated shopping opportunities and quality restaurants, all within walking distance of each other. Ipanema (the name, incongruously, means 'bad... see full details

Copacabana
This famous Rio beach neighbourhood was just a small fishing village until a new highway changed the face of it sometime in the 1900s. The Copacabana Palace Hotel first opened its doors in 1923, and since then the area mushroomed with Neoclassical and... see full details

Buzios Peninsula
Once the preserve of pirates and slave traders, the peninsula of Buzios, 105 miles (169km) north east of Rio, is today the haunt of the rich and famous who flock to the city (once a fishing village) to enjoy the 20 or so... see full details

Estádio do Maracanã
Built over 50 years ago for use in the Soccer World Cup, this stadium is the largest on the continent, seating a crowd of over 95,000. The stadium is currently used to host the local soccer league games, and is the home of... see full details

Tijuca Forest
The world's largest urban forest, Tijuca spans 7,900 acres (3,200ha) and sits on Rio's doorstep. Inside the forest, walkabouts will lead you past caves, waterfalls and an abundance of exotic and rare flora and fauna. Stop and enjoy a pre-packed lunch at the 'Mesa... see full details

Rio Scenarium
The most festive spot in what is arguably the most festive city in the world. Rio Scenarium is a three floor dance club dedicated to sultry, sweaty summer salsa nights. The decor is interesting, set in an abandoned antiques warehouse, the club is... see full details

New Year in Rio de Janeiro: 5 Nights

Copacabana Beach is very famous for the Reveillon

This year there was 2.300.000 people at the beach looking at the sky for the midnight fireworks.In Brazil is very popular that everybody dress in WHITE clothes and go to the beaches all long the Brazilian coast.We do have one of the biggest ocean coasts in the world.

And the party at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro is the biggest meeting point for that special moment every year.The fireworks show took 19 minutes total time, and it was made with 25 tons of Chinese fireworks mounted on eight big ships (those that are used to carry cars) placed at 400 meters from the beach sand.

Behind the ships, at 400 meters more distant, there were lots of yachts of all sizes and 4 big ocean-cruisers that come to Brazil from other countries just to watch the big party.

Besides dressing in white, people do throw white flowers on the Ocean as an offer to the sea, and asking for a better life in the following year, with more health, more money, more happiness, etc... They cry, they pray, they jump, they dance, they yell, welcoming the New Year

Leme Palace Othon (4*) in Rio de Janeiro

Located at the head of Copacabana Beach, the Leme Othon Palace stands near Sugar Loaf and downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Package Includes:
Return flights on South Africa Airlines (CPT-JNB-GRU-JNB-CPT or JNB-GRU-JNB)
Return flights on Tam Airlines (SAO-RIO-SAO)
Airport taxes.
Return Private Service transfers airport/hotel/airport with guide.
5 nights hotel accommodation at Leme Othon Palace (4*) in a STD room with breakfast in Rio de Janeiro.

EX JNB Dec 27th to Jan 1st, 09 - R 16.469,00

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Rio Carnival Continues

To find out more information regarding what the Rio Carnival offers, please look at their website, click here.

All packages include:

- Return international flight by South Africa Airways (JNB-GRU-JNB or CPT-JNB-GRU-JNB- CPT )
- Return domestic flight by TAM (GRU/RIO/GRU)
- 5 night’s accommodation at one of the below mentioned hotelsFull Day Tour to Corcovado and Sugar Loaf with stop for lunch at Porcao Rio’s.
- Return tranfers from the airport to the hotel.
- Return transfers from hotel to the Sambadrome.
- 1 ticket Grandstand ticket entrance for Sunday Carnival Parade.

Package excludes:

- Airport taxes levied by foreign countries on departure.
- Travel Insurance
- Items of a personal nature
- Any other services not mentioned

3* Hotel - Savoy Othon Copacabana Hotel

4* Hotel - Porto Bay Rio International

5* Hotel - Sofitel Rio

Rio Carnival

Be Sure to join us tomorrow for more details regarding this special...